Pastor charged with financially exploiting woman

An Austin pastor is charged with bilking more than $40,000 from an elderly woman with dementia.

Associated Press

An Austin pastor is charged with bilking more than $40,000 from an elderly woman with dementia.

Authorities say the Rev. David DeFor was the woman's power of attorney. A criminal complaint, in part, says DeFor used a $5,000 check from the woman to replace his furnace and claimed a $3,000 bank transfer to his account for a bowling trip was a reward for his care.

DeFor is charged in Mower County District Court with five counts of financial exploitation of a vulnerable adult. The Post-Bulletin says the 69-year-old DeFor is pastor at Austin Church of Christ. The pastor has denied any wrongdoing.

A conviction on all counts carries a maximum 20 years in prison and a $100,000 fine.

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